Hi there!
Picture this - you're going about your day, nowhere near your period, and you notice some bleeding, and your brain does that thing where it immediately jumps to the absolute worst conclusion.
First things first -
take a breath. In most cases, there is a really simple explanation and it's nothing to worry about.
It could be ovulation spotting, which some people get right in the middle of their cycle and is completely normal. It might be your body adjusting to hormonal contraception (especially if you've recently started or changed it). Stress is a surprisingly common culprit too, your hormones are more sensitive to what's going on in your life than you might think, and if you're in your late thirties or forties, perimenopause can start causing all sorts of cycle changes way earlier than most people expect.
The colour can actually tell you quite a lot too! Light pink or brownish spotting is usually nothing alarming, whereas bright red bleeding that's heavier than a light flow is more worth paying attention to.
There are a few situations where you really should get yourself to the GP without waiting, such as bleeding after sex, bleeding after the menopause, or anything alongside severe pelvic pain. I'm not trying to cause alarm, it's just because those things are worth ruling out sooner rather than later.
Kirstin has written a really thorough but very readable
blog post that goes through all of this properly - causes, colours, what to track, and when to act. If you've ever been confused or worried about this, it's genuinely worth a read.
In the meantime, if unexpected spotting is something you deal with, our Light Flow
Cheeky Pants are brilliant for those days when you just want to feel covered without having to think about it. Comfortable enough to wear every day, no waste, no nasties.
Big Love 💙
